Punjab limits transport fare hike after petrol price drop

The Punjab Chief Secretary has rejected the recommendation to increase transport fares in Rawalpindi by 37 per cent, instead approving a 10% increase for petrol vehicles and a 25% increase for diesel vehicle owners.

The first increases to be imposed on the private public transport and goods carriers were 25 to 37 percent, which were pushed by regional transport authorities in districts such as Rawalpindi. However, the federal government of Pakistan reduced the cost of petrol in the country by Rs80 and hence the province reversed.

New rules provide distinct boundaries. Public transport which is powered by diesel, both AC and non-AC, experiences a maximum 25 percent increase. Only up to 10 percent more is obtained in petrol-based vehicles. These caps will act as a maximum threshold, not blanket increases across all routes and types of vehicles.

Governments put a stranglehold on overcharging. There are stringent legal consequences of overspeeding on the part of transport operators. They need to revise fare charts immediately and place new tables in bus stands and counters. These will be checked on demand by staff.

Monitoring teams swing into action. Assistant commissioners, traffic police, and enforcers patrol districts to ensure compliance. RTA Secretary Syed Asad Shirazi confirmed rollout in Rawalpindi. Operators cannot demand extra from passengers.

Bonus relief is rolled out as well. The province turned Metro Bus and electric bus services into free ones throughout the month. Checks of operations are observed daily, and reports are addressed to Lahore headquarters.

This step reduces the burden on commuters during fluctuations of fuel prices. The rethink was necessitated by lower petrol costs which put the operator needs and the public wallets on the same scale. Close management ensures that fares are reasonable passengers save, transporters obey.